The latest entry in the esteemed The Legend of Heroes series, Trails through Daybreak II, comes from the collaboration between NIS America and Nihon Falcom. Acting as a sequel to Trails through Daybreak, this game continues the tale of Van Arkride as he tackles new challenges in the Calvard region. This time around, our hero finds himself drawn into a perplexing murder mystery. Dive into our detailed review to learn more about The Legend of Heroes: Trails through Daybreak II!
Step back into the vibrant world of the Calvard Republic, and join Van as he delves into the enigma of the ‘crimson beast’ in Trails through Daybreak II. A sudden string of murders sets off a chain of events, propelling Van into the heart of calamity once more. With chaos threatening to engulf the region, an unexpected guest knocks on Van’s door. Who is orchestrating these murders, and what are their true motives?
Trails through Daybreak II doesn’t just carry forward the narrative from its predecessor; it marks the 12th main game in this legendary franchise. Following journeys across Liberl in Trails in the Sky, Erebonia through the Trails of Cold Steel saga, and Crossbell’s stories, fans now join Van’s gripping adventures deeper into Calvard’s mysteries in this brand-new installment.
Every sub-series within The Legend of Heroes universe—whether it’s Trails in the Sky, Trails of Cold Steel, Trails from Zero, or Trails through Daybreak—offers a unique, standalone experience while contributing to a broader, interconnected world. These games nod to one another, weaving a complex tapestry of events and characters for astute players to uncover.
Given Trails through Daybreak II’s nature as a direct continuation, it’s highly recommended to experience the first game before embarking on Van’s new journey. While there is a recap at the game’s outset, its briefness does little justice to the rich narrative span of over 50 hours the prior game delivered. Moreover, players who complete the previous game can carry over their save data to unlock unique bonuses and see their previous choices impact the sequel’s unfolding story.
Van Arkride returns as a spriggan—essentially a detective occupying legal gray zones where neither bracers nor the police can intervene. Equipped with an acute sense of smell, Van can sniff out trouble and find hints or suspects, making him invaluable in navigating the evolving conflicts of the Calvard region’s dark underbelly.
Kicking off the game, Van meets Elaine—a familiar face with grave tidings. The story takes a twist when Van becomes the key suspect in a misfortunate incident. The narrative unfolds non-linearly, an aspect I thoroughly enjoyed. True to the Trails series, the storytelling is richly immersive, featuring complex character arcs and unforeseen plot turns.
If you’re used to the previous game’s systems, the combat in Trails through Daybreak II will feel both familiar and engaging. The basic system offers real-time, combo-based encounters akin to action RPGs, simplifying early fights with streamlined attacks. But when things get intense, you can activate Arts or Crafts by pressing the Square button, shifting into the traditional turn-based style where strategy reigns supreme. As before, Van’s awe-inspiring mech transformation ability can turn the tide in tough battles.
In this iteration, the Orbment system returns, letting you equip Quartz to bolster your characters’ spell arsenals and stats. Navigating the menu can be cumbersome, especially when accessing healing Arts is essential in pinch moments. A hiccup I encountered involved the game freezing upon using the healing spell Tear, necessitating a restart. Thankfully, the robust auto-save feature cushioned any potential progress loss, and a patch might resolve this issue soon. Also, the ability to save anywhere remains a crucial quality-of-life boon when facing the game’s extensive dungeons.
Graphically, Trails through Daybreak II does build upon its predecessors, albeit with some familiar limitations. Characters mirror those from the PlayStation 4 era but see improved clothing textures and facial expressions. While animations could be a bit more polished, the English voice acting hits the mark, notably with key characters. Additionally, the game provides the option to choose between English and Japanese voice tracks, and as expected from Nihon Falcom, the soundtrack is nothing short of excellent.
The game boasts 53 trophies, including a coveted Platinum for completionists. These range from progressing through the story’s chapters to achieving top ranks within Arkride Solutions. There are also trophies linked to engaging minigames like fishing and cooking, ensuring plenty to keep you occupied on your trophy-hunting journey.
Ultimately, The Legend of Heroes: Trails through Daybreak II stands out as a compelling JRPG, skillfully blending action and turn-based mechanics for versatile gameplay. Its fascinating narrative, bolstered by a few unexpected developments, keeps players invested. As you anticipate its release on PlayStation 5 this February 14th for $59.99, immersing yourself in the first Trails through Daybreak is highly suggested to enrich your understanding and appreciation of this sequel’s story.
This review is based on the PlayStation version provided by NIS America.
